Rotary Cutter PTO extension - how do I get it off?

[showme1946]

The tractor is a Ford 4610SU with an independent PTO. I recently acquired the tractor. The pictures show two views of yoke attached to my PTO that drives a John Deere rotary cutter. One view of the attachment shows a cylindrical protrusion from the yoke that connects the extension to the PTO shaft. This protrusion is spring-loaded, i.e., I can push it in, it springs back out. The other view shows the opposite side of the yoke where there is a second cylindrical part that does not protrude.

The yoke is rusted. I need to know how to disconnect this extension from my PTO shaft. As it is, when I disconnect the rotary cutter, this extension remains attached to the tractor, and I have to use a chain to hold it up off the ground AND I have to be sure that the PTO does not accidentally become engaged, which would cause this extension to flail around, no doubt doing damage and perhaps injuring someone.

Thanks in advance for any help.

George.

 

[rustyshakelford]

That's the coupler for your pto shaft. The button will need to be pressed like you have it so it can be pulled off. I'd soak that whole area in the penetrating oil and try to use the raised housing around the shaft to carefully pry it back. I'm sure the old grease got caked up and it'll be stuck on there pretty well. Just go around it a little at a time and eventually it'll come off. A couple easy taps with a maul wouldn't hurt but don't get wild with it

Brett

 

[KYErik]

Rustyshakelford is right, while you have the spring loaded button pressed down, try to shake/wiggle it off, if that doesn't work, try to tap and pry on it a little bit.

 

[showme1946]

Thanks much, Brett, for the prompt advice. I'll get after it with PB Blaster and some dental picks and whatnot and see what happens. I'll report back.

George.

 

[showme1946]

Thanks, KYErik. So, one button is out (protruding), the other is stuck in. In order to disconnect the yoke, should both buttons be out or should both buttons be in?

George

 

[KYErik]

Both buttons should be in for the yoke to slip off the PTO shaft, Does it wiggle in and out a little bit? If not, soak with some oil.

 

[Wagtail]

Thanks, KYErik. So, one button is out (protruding), the other is stuck in. In order to disconnect the yoke, should both buttons be out or should both buttons be in?

George

It should be just the one 'protruding' button... you press it in to disengage the locking mechanism.

When it comes to tapping, I'd first use a rubber mallet to help loosen things up & persuade it to come off.

Good luck, Mate.

 

[ericm979]

The button is below the bolt head on the PTO end of the u-joint in your first picture. The PTO shaft has a groove cut into it. There's a spring inside that button that pushes a shaft out so it locks into the groove. Pushing the button in moves the shaft to a thinner part so it can slide past the groove. When you hook up the shaft you push the button to get the shaft onto the PTO then move it back and forth until you heat it click and feel it locked into place.

Grease the shaft on the tractor and the inside of the splines on the u-joint. (and shoot some grease into the fittings on both u-joints while you're there. Also slide the two halves of the shaft apart and grease in there too).

That shaft needs a shield/guard to prevent grisly PTO injuries.

 

[showme1946]

Oh, now I get it. Thanks much to everyone for all of the help. Much appreciated.

George.

 

[TractorGuy]

 

[oosik]

From the look of that yoke - removal could be a real PITA. Soak the PTO output shaft well around the area where it goes into the yoke with your PB blaster. Don't expect it to loosen up in just an hour or so - it could take at least 24 hours. Over a 24 hour period of waiting - hit it 3-4 times with the PB blaster.

Let us know how that works - there are other ways available to get that unit off if the lube won't do it.

In any case, when you do get it off - clean the output shaft and inside the yoke well. I would use steel wool or a Scotch Brite pad and lots of lube to clean it.

Cleaning this up is going to be time consuming - you will want to remove all the rust you can from both areas.

Don't beat on the yoke or output shaft too much - all your beating will be transferred directly to the output shaft end bearings & seal.

Keep the faith - you can get this unit separated and without damage to anything.

BTW - excellent pictures of the exact problem area. Those pics help a lot when asking for help.

 

[Wagtail]

From the look of that yoke - removal could be a real PITA. Soak the PTO output shaft well around the area where it goes into the yoke with your PB blaster. Don't expect it to loosen up in just an hour or so - it could take at least 24 hours. Over a 24 hour period of waiting - hit it 3-4 times with the PB blaster.

Well, today I learnt about a product called PB Blaster.

Thanks to Google I found out that it has nothing to do with washing off peanut butter.

 

[oosik]

Wait a minute there Wagtail - I would not be so bold with that peanut butter statement. It could well be that PB Blaster removes peanut butter slick as a whistle.

Its just that the "blasted" person may not survive - ha,ha,ha.

 

[Wagtail]

If that were true oosik, there'd already exist some YouTube video.

To be honest, I'm reluctant to look for it. I'd more likely find a series of tractor maintenance videos featuring 'lingerie-clad Models'... AGAIN!

[there are only so many hours in a day]

 

[stuckmotor]

Wagtail,
Could you give us a link to those models?

 

[Wagtail]

Sure Mate, sorry for being rude & not sharing: EyeHandy
- YouTube

(there's got to be something about tractor maintenance... I just haven't reached that section of videos yet)

((I've learnt so much other stuff so far, though; I just need to review the vid to make sure))

 

[CCWKen]

Them is some old videos. Those girls are all married and probably hags by now. Think about that while watching.

I've got a tractor related photo but the tractor and hay wagon are "barely" visible due to being covered in women. Can't post it here though. I'd get banned in an instant.

 

[oosik]

Wow!! This has sure been a great "learning" day for me. Videos provide such an exciting new experience. And yet another thread takes a left turn - :laughing: :cool2:

 

[Wagtail]

Them is some old videos. Those girls are all married and probably hags by now. Think about that while watching.

I've got a tractor related photo but the tractor and hay wagon are "barely" visible due to being covered in women. Can't post it here though. I'd get banned in an instant.

Doesn't matter, Mate... I'm older too; and they are frozen in time.

 

[stuckmotor]

Wagtail,
Thank you very much. It's how they looked when the pictures were taken that counts with me. I'm Stuck in time myself.